By BEC STONE
ROUND 12 of the Northern Inland Premier League reserve grade competition saw the Demon Knights face off against local rivals South Armidale.
A rain-sodden Rologas field was the venue with Demon Knights running out victors 2-0 in an upset result against top-of-the-table South Armidale.
The trying conditions for both sides made for a physical contest that did not allow for a free-flowing game.
Souths captain Christian Nexo described the match as a ‘scrappy’ affair and an inconsistent performance from his side that was unable to produce their usual accurate passing of the football.
“It was scrappy play by our side that led to the loss,” Christian said.
“They were able to out-muscle us and produce a better passing game.”
“Overall we didn’t go in hard enough and challenge for the whole game,” he said.
This allowed Demon Knights to capitalise on mistakes made by the South Armidale defence.
Despite the loss, Souths remain on top of the reserve grade table with 30 competition points, North Armidale is currently sitting on 28 points, followed closely by Demon Knights on 27 points.
South Armidale has had two losses in the competition so far, after being defeated by Tamworth FC earlier in the season. To prevent another loss the team will “go back to basics at training with focus on passing and positioning,” Christian said.
“We will have to re-group after this result but I believe we are still the team to beat in the northern conference of this competition,” he said.
“We are the reigning reserve grade premiers and are aiming to challenge for back-to-back titles.”
